• For too long there, Ron Rivera was qualified to be on the NFL’s All-Interview Team, and just not because he is a great talker who can spend hours in wondrous, detailed conversation about defense. Rather, he spent years interviewing for just about every head-coaching job that became available, finally getting his big chance when Carolina hired the then-defensive coordinator of the Chargers after the 2010 season.

• Though not one of those getting all the attention, Rivera was an outside linebacker on what’s considered perhaps the greatest defensive in NFL history, the Chicago Bears of 1985. Rivera also was defensive coordinator of the other Bears team (2006) that went to the Super Bowl.

• Rivera finished his college career as Cal’s all-time leader with 22 sacks and 336 tackles.

THE PLAYMAKERS

Cam Newton, QB. Especially since the halfway point of Carolina’s season, Newton’s made a much better passer of himself, throwing for 11 of his 16 touchdowns and only two of his 10 interceptions. Newton’s still considered a major threat with his legs, of course, leading the Panthers in rushing with 640 yards while running for seven touchdowns.

Greg Olsen, TE. The Chargers can learn something from Carolina’s blowout loss to AFC West rival Denver, which gave up two touchdown passes to Olsen , though those were the only Carolina scores. Olsen’s 102 yards were the most by a Carolina tight end since Wesley Walls way back in 2000.

Captain Munnerlyn, CB. Bringing the ball back is his forte, Back at South Carolina, Munnerlyn returned a kickoff 84 yards and a blocked field goal 81 yards for a touchdown, and after scoring on an interception for the Panthers last year, he’s done it twice more this season. Another pick-six in 2012 will tie Carolina records for single-season and career.